Former Gov, and U.S. Denate hopeful Tim Kaine got to introduce The Boss.

G. Milo Farineau

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At an event that was a political rally and a concert, rock superstar Bruce Springsteen fired up the mostly pro-Obama crowd with acoustic versions of "No Surrender," "The Promised Land," a funny Obama campaign song he wrote, "We Take Care of Our Own," and "Thunder Road."

Democratic candidate for senate Tim Kaine introduced the Boss, saying "Thunder Road" by this "guy from New Jersey" was the best song he'd ever heard when he was a 17-year old kid growing up in the Midwest. Springsteen would sing the song for Kaine at the end of the show, and wish him good luck.

"I heard there was a good band playing in town tonight," Springsteen told the crowd before he began. His band plays the John Paul Jones Arena tonight.

At one point Springsteen did a pretty good imitation of Obama, telling a joke about how the President calls him every night, then sang a campaign song he made up, one that he said was difficult because it was hard to keep coming up with words that rhymed with Obama. Among other lines, there was "said I was going to vote for Obama, but Fox News told me he smokes marijuana."

36 comments

George Jefferson October 23rd, 2012 | 4:41pm

Did they manage to give away all of the tickets?

Remie October 23rd, 2012 | 4:41pm

Old people.

jimi hendrix October 23rd, 2012 | 4:53pm

LOL. My FB feed actually showed a flipphone held in the air. Must have been really old people, although given the hair sported by our City Council I guess it stands to reason. And actually, many tix went unfilled as many places were trying to give them away...

jimi hendrix October 23rd, 2012 | 4:58pm

Guessing he did not sing "Born in the USA?"

Buzzman October 23rd, 2012 | 5:04pm

@jimi, remie...there were people of all ages there. Don't be such jerks.

jimi hendrix October 23rd, 2012 | 5:12pm

Ha! Did you see Henry Grafs feed? One person with a head of dark hair, looking down and prolly texting.... lame. The rest was a sea of bald guys and grey hair. Guessing Buzzy is of this ilk.

Remie October 23rd, 2012 | 5:13pm

I have nothing against old people (other than the fact that they are actively squandering MY social security payments). Not surprising Springsteen did so well among the hippietelligentsia of Charlottesville.

jimi hendrix October 23rd, 2012 | 5:17pm

@Remie, you lucky guy. You must be one of us that will pay more into SS than we receive in the future. Silly boomers still think they are a blessing to the country rather than a plaque.

Buzzman October 23rd, 2012 | 5:50pm

@jimi...guessing wrong, I'm afraid. Sounds like your daddy didn't take you to the woodshed enough. @remie those "old people" have probably been working twice as long as you've been living.

jimi hendrix October 23rd, 2012 | 6:41pm

Good one Buzzy. I am in my 50s and you seem to struggle to post cogently.

Buzzman October 23rd, 2012 | 6:52pm

Thanks, jimini....so you're making fun of yourself. Now I get it. :)

jimi hendrix October 23rd, 2012 | 7:04pm

Sadly, you do not. But keep that smug look on your mug. It looks silly to those who pay the bills.

jorsmith@aol.com October 23rd, 2012 | 7:07pm

hey it was ok
lots of people young and old
but it was not a big turn out
bruce was great

looking at a person texting is a wate of time
bruce was singing
and showing how important your vote is

lots of kids in the group who had no idea how much work they will need to do
that was the first time the pledge had been said out loud in a long time
some of the people around me did not know the words

Bravo, jorsmith@aol.com...nice poem. Bruce was great, singing those classic songs in such an intimate setting. It was a real treat.

D

Bob October 23rd, 2012 | 8:15pm

I've never understood how someone with such a terrible voice was so popular.....and every song sounds the same. Oh well, to each his/her own. I thought he was cool for about 20 minutes back in the 80s.

Buzzman October 23rd, 2012 | 8:42pm

@Bob...who do you consider to have a good voice from the same time period? Come on, man, don't chicken out...put it out there. ;)

skipd October 23rd, 2012 | 8:47pm

question.... who pays for the rental of the pavilliona nd the cost involved in putting this show on?

skipd October 23rd, 2012 | 8:48pm

question.... who pays for the rental of the pavillion and the cost involved in putting this show on?

phil spector October 23rd, 2012 | 9:51pm

like myself; springsteen is little more than a side show now.

what would yossarian say ?

help the bombardier.

phil spector October 23rd, 2012 | 9:54pm

like myself; springsteen is little more than a side show now.

what would yossarian say ?

help the bombardier.

Amanda October 24th, 2012 | 12:49am

If Obama couldn't convince people to vote for him during his last visit, how much sway will an overrated, aged rocker have with them? This was nothing but self-aggrandizement from Springsteen.

I grew up on Long Island in the 70's and one thing hasn't changed -- Billy Joel is STILL the far superior musician and Jersey sucks. LOL!

maggiewood October 24th, 2012 | 1:17am

what is wrong with you people?? seriously!! most of those commenting here need a heart and a prayer. you too will be in your 50ties one day, son. nothing wrong with old folks, but u r proving young folks are majorly amiss.

Buzzman October 24th, 2012 | 3:19am

Billy Joel? Seriously?

discoduck October 24th, 2012 | 7:44am

"..who do you consider to have a good voice from the same time period?"

Bob Seger. What you heard from the studio was what you heard live.

smelly socks October 24th, 2012 | 7:56am

Janis Joplin had a great voice. Her duets with Karen Carpenter were awesome!

Billy Joel. The same a-hole who got so drunk he called Elton John a faggot onstage while playing with him? Oh that guy. You know you've jumped the shark when there is an off Broadway musical with nothing but Billy Joel tunes in it. At least Bruce sang about getting the hell outta Jersey, and that's what I did. So happy to swap my NJ license plates for Virginia ones a long time ago. Bruce show was great.

Milo October 24th, 2012 | 8:11am

Billy Joel. The same shmo who got so drunk he called Elton John a faggot onstage while playing with him? Oh that guy. You know you've jumped the shark when there is an off Broadway musical with nothing but Billy Joel tunes in it. At least Bruce sang about getting the hell outta Jersey, and that's what I did. So happy to swap my NJ license plates for Virginia ones a long time ago. Bruce show was great.

omgitspaul October 24th, 2012 | 8:50am

This thread is a great example of what's wrong with this town...The Avett Brothers (local faves) put on a show and there story doesn't get a single post. Bruce does a show and gets, for the most part, sh*t on. I guess it's easier to find something to whine about...

omgitspaul October 24th, 2012 | 9:49am

oops...haven't had my coffee this morning. That should read...

The Avett Brothers (local faves) put on a show and "their" story doesn't get a single post.

Another reason to vote for Obama - Bruce likes him and sings about him. Completely removes the thought process. They very kind of people for whom Obama has such a profound impact. Give 'em music, give 'em songs. There you go.

Milo October 24th, 2012 | 10:17am

@omgitspaul. Thanks. My daughter and I shot the Avett's show and my daughter did the interview. Thanks for commenting on our post here! They were great and so was Bruce.

Common sense October 24th, 2012 | 11:11am

lol at all the uptight folks ripping Springsteen and his fans. Heaven forbid people go out and have a good time! (And heaven help you if Billy Joel is your idea of a good time....)

Liberalace October 24th, 2012 | 11:34am

@JSGeare...you're spot on. Now, if one is not sure if they will vote at all OR is not sure for whom they will vote, then they should not be voting. Stay home. As a great mentor of our current potus said, "Useful idiots." We really do not need them.

BTW, why does a hero of the working class get such a bad dye job?

R.I.P.: Freddie Mercury (if you want a voice from the '70s and '80s)

Uncle Elvis October 24th, 2012 | 5:02pm

Mr. Socks, I can hardly see the screen through my tears.

Somebody October 26th, 2012 | 2:32pm

Some folks were Born To Run. The rest of us were born to stand our ground.